Zara McDermott has taken to social media to defend her one and a half stone weight loss after being ‘attacked’ by trolls who called it ‘harmful and damaging’.
The Love Island star, 23, admitted her post-villa lifestyle was unhealthy and despite feeling happy and eating what she wanted she felt a change was needed.
Sharing a selection of before and after images on her Instagram, the reality star said she followed a restrictive diet and fasted in order to feel healthier in herself.
Statement: Zara McDermott has taken to social media to defend her one and a half stone weight loss after being ‘attacked’ by trolls who called it ‘harmful and damaging’
Zara has been sharing her healthy living journey on a separate Instagram account, she claimed she was receiving hate whenever she discussed her weight loss.
Hitting out at critics who have slammed her, Zara said: ‘I thought I’d do a post about my weight loss. Every time I post about weight loss I get people attacking me, saying it’s harmful and damaging.’
‘However, the last two images of me were of a girl who ate ANYTHING and EVERYTHING she wanted. Who rarely exercised. That is not healthy or good for anyone!’
‘I never worried about my body, I never thought I was fat, I was content. It was never a mental thing and was never affecting my mental health. I was happy with who I was.’
Throwback: The Love Island star, 23, admitted her post-villa lifestyle was unhealthy and despite feeling happy and eating what she wanted she felt a change was needed (pictured in 2018)
Heartfelt: Zara shared a lengthy caption about her weight loss journey alongside a selection of before and after photos
But she admitted that changed one day when she realised she wasn’t paying attention to what was entering her body, adding: ‘ However, one day I woke up and I thought, I’m not being healthy! I’m not eating my 5 a day, I’m not monitoring what I’m putting in my body at all!
Zara went on to reveal that life after Love Island meant she was constantly getting treated to free meals and a hectic schedule meant her body suffered.
Following a busy few months Zara’s weight was at 68kg and she has since dropped 10kg to 58/59kg after following a strict regime.
Detailing her diet plan, she revealed: ‘For the first few months into my journey I was monitoring my calories closely and making sure I ate around 1300-1400 per day, although sometimes more sometimes less.’
Candid: Following a busy few months Zara’s weight was at 68kg and she has since dropped 10kg to 58/59kg after following a strict regime
Before and after: In the post Zara shared a clip of her current physique (left) along with pictures of herself after she left the Love Island villa (right)
‘In order to work out how many calories I needed my personal trainer worked out my calorie maintenance level, which is the amount of calories you need to function yet remain the same weight and maintain your body.’
‘It’s important to not go under that drastically as it can mess with your metabolism, for me the quickest way I lost weight was by only going between 100 and 250 calories below this daily. ‘
Zara began by calorie counting for a month but quickly learned how many calories are in certain foods, meaning she now eats want she wants in moderation.
Luxury living: Zara went on to reveal that life after Love Island meant she was constantly getting treated to free meals and a hectic schedule meant her body suffered (pictured in July 2018)
Giving an example, she said: ‘I know I’m going out for dinner and want a pizza that night, I’ll fast and drink water until lunch or if I’m up early I’ll have some fruit or a small smoothie…
‘Have a super light lunch (maybe scrambled eggs and some spinach for example or some fish) and then have my pizza for dinner and still be within my maintenance. I also don’t drink hardly ever, so this helps too.’
At the end of her lengthy and impassioned post, Zara included a disclaimer which said she isn’t a personal trainer or medically trained but simply wanted to share her own tips with others.
Zara has been dating Made In Chelsea star Sam Thompson, and the couple seem to have reconciled their differences after a turbulent few months.
In December the couple were spotted in the midst of a heated exchange that left Zara in tears, but have since got their relationship back on track.
The couple started dating in May last year after Zara slipped into Sam’s DMs.
Romantic: Zara has been dating Made In Chelsea star Sam Thompson, and the couple seem to have reconciled their differences after a turbulent few months